College of Arts & Humanities

Sample Problems

Focused observation and applied self-study are often the
cornerstones to improvement in any trade. Writing is no different.
A strong grounding in fundamentals separates the professionals from
the amateurs.

Each student is ultimately responsible for identifying his or
her weakest areas in writing and then planning an active course of
self-study. These sample problems can be an excellent place to
start.

Category: Confused and misused wordsMisused words, words that sound the same or are similar
Percent of DQE: 20

10. Either Sam or his
children (a) was (b) were in the house.
11. The band was waiting to collect (a) its
(b) it’s (c) their (d) they’re pay.
12. Athletes think the media (a) has (b)
have blown this out of proportion.

13. He said he would give a (a) week (b)
week’s (c) weeks (d) weeks’ pay for the answers.
14. The Smiths are trying to keep up with
the (a) Jones (b) Jones’ (c) Joneses.
15. Did you watch (a) CBS (b) CBS’s
(c) CBSs (d) CBS’ new sitcom?

Category: PunctuationMostly commas, semicolons
Percent of DQE: 20

The next (three) questions concern punctuation, mostly commas
but also semicolons. For each, mark (a) if it is punctuated
correctly, (b) if not.